SPORTS

SPORTS| page 20 WOMEN IN WRESTLING

Sandpoint prepares to introduce a girls wrestling team and train for the upcoming season.

By Lucy Allen

Multimedia & Reviews Editor

Wrestlers are excited to hit the mats and practice for their matches this winter--especially the girls. As the number of female wrestlers in Sandpoint has grown, so has the prospect of a girls wrestling team. An exciting change to the wrestling program that will be brought to SHS next year is the addition of a sanctioned girls wrestling team. “This year we have three girl wrestlers. KJ, Grace Balch and Riley Hacock.” Wrestling Coach Jacob Stark said. Although girls wrestling is not yet it’s own sport there are still lots of opportunities for girls that still want to participate in the sport. “Last year Heather Wallace got first and KJ got third at the girls’ state competition.” Stark said, “I took them all the way down to Pocatello. It was two weeks before the actual boys state so they have to have their own but next year it will be a legit sport.” The new girls wrestling team is going to have the same rules as boys wrestling and will be running alongside the boys season. Wrestler Kayelin Otterson is excited about the addition of a girl’s team, even though she will be going to Corban University on a wrestling scholarship. “It’s cool to see girls coming out and I wish I could stay another year and be part of the official state.” Otterson said. Otterson is looking forward to passing down her knowledge on the sport to the girls joining the team including Riley Hancock and Grace Balch. “I think it’ll be cool to teach them to know a lot before they have to lead the next team.” Coach Stark and Otterson are excited and ready for the season this year. “I definitely think I’ll have an edge in the upcoming season.” Otterson said, “I’ve had a varsity spot on the boys team and it’s just made me better for girls season and made me stronger.”

Photo by: Wyatt Leoni

Above: Hancock and Balch wrestle during practice.

Photo by: Wyatt Leoni

Above: Wrestlers Riley Hancock (left) KJ Otterson (middle) and Grace Balch (right)

SPORTS & STAGE TWO

This year all Sandpoint High School winter athletics will not have fans in attendance.

By Dillon Terry

Sports Editor

With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Inland Empire league decided to not allow spectators in attendance at any of the winter sporting events. This decision was a result of Governer Little putting Idaho back in stage two of reopening.

Sandpoint’s girls basketball was the first team to experience what playing a game without fans was like. “Not being able to have spectators at our games is super weird, the gym feels so empty and quiet” said varsity girls basketball player, Senior Bella Phillips.

The atmosphere felt in the gym is not the same. “Usually there are people cheering and I think it gives everyone on the team more motivation and excited to play.” said Senior Riley Cessna, a varsity basketball player. Both of the girls feel that there is a lack of energy without the fans. All you hear are the squeaks of the shoes on the gym floor and the occasional yells from the benches. The cheering is minimal, which creates the scrimmage type feeling.

Wrestling matches feel different too. “Right now we can’t have any fans, which is kind of upsetting because it’s really fun to come wrestle in front of all your friends and family and the guys really look forward to that.” Said coach Jacob Stark.

Winter sports will have challenges with overcoming the loss of energy without the fans to have the best season they can.